US3769519A - Automatic headlight control - Google Patents

Automatic headlight control Download PDF

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Publication number
US3769519A
US3769519A US00296954A US3769519DA US3769519A US 3769519 A US3769519 A US 3769519A US 00296954 A US00296954 A US 00296954A US 3769519D A US3769519D A US 3769519DA US 3769519 A US3769519 A US 3769519A
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transistor
output
pulse
ignition
accordance
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US00296954A
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M Adamian
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
    • B60Q1/1415—Dimming circuits
    • B60Q1/1423—Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/05—Special features for controlling or switching of the light beam
    • B60Q2300/052—Switching delay, i.e. the beam is not switched or changed instantaneously upon occurrence of a condition change
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00—Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/30—Indexing codes relating to the vehicle environment
    • B60Q2300/31—Atmospheric conditions
    • B60Q2300/314—Ambient light

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Compact, reliable apparatus operating on electronic principles with no electromechanical parts serves two purposes: one, when the engine is running, to turn on the headlights of a motor vehicle automatically when the ambient level of illumination is such that the headlights should be on, e.g. at twilight, and, two, to turn the headlights off automatically in the event the engine stops running.
  • this invention completely eliminates the headlight switch presently used, and performs identical functions through electronic circuitry.
  • .It can be modified to operate in conjunction with a headlight switch. In both cases, undesirable battery drain is avoided since it is impossible to stop the vehicle and have the lights accidentally on.
  • the circuitry is so arranged that the lights remain on" for a predetermined interval following switching off of the ignition system.
  • the present invention incorporates means interrelating the ignition system with the circuit controlling the headlights.
  • the invention apparatus fails to sense ignition pulses for a predetermined short interval (and the light switch is on), the headlight circuit will be interrupted until such time as ignition pulses are sensed again. Under these circumstances, the operator re-establishes headlight command by running the engine and generating ignition pulses.
  • the foregoing objects can be attained with the present invention by the use of electronic components capable of being contained in a case of only a few cubic inches capacity.
  • the package including a heat-sink, can be installed behind the dashboard and the ambient illumination sensor can be mounted near the windshield in an unobtrusive position, and if the windshield is clean, as it usually is, the light sensitive element will function accurately.
  • the apparatus comprises an ignition pulse sensor to detect the presence or absence of ignition pulses which are taken from the primary side of the ignition coil, and an illumination sensor to measure the degree of ambient illumination.
  • the output of both sensors is fed to a nand gate and, if the prescribed conditions are met, the output of the gate is inverted and fed as a trigger pulse to a pulse generator, e.g. a monostable multivibrator.
  • the successive ignition pulses trigger the multivibrator which, once triggered, remains triggered due to succeeding trigger pulses which constitute a train shorter ,than the multivibrator output pulse.
  • a control circuit comprising a suitable relay, e.g. a silicon controlled rectifier which, upon conduction, completes a circuit for the headlights.
  • the factor of ambient illumination is introduced into the circuit as the output of a photoelectric device. Assuming that the level of ambient illumination regains its normal intensity, the photoelectric device is effective, through the circuit to be described, to turn the lights off automatically.
  • an emergency switch can be used to turn the lights on.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic showing of the complete system
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic showing a preferred form of constantly triggered pulse generator, for example, a modified monostable multivibrator.
  • FIG. 4 is a pair of graphs showing the relation between input ignition pulses and multivibrator output.
  • Resistors R1 and R2 constitute a voltage divider.
  • R1 is 50K ohms and R2 is 5K ohms, so that, based on a voltage at I? of v, the voltage across R2 will be at least 9v for a short time. Since the ignition detector will respond to an input voltage as low as 4v, the voltage division indicated is sufficient. If R1 is 50K ohms or greater, the ignition coil will not be loaded inordinately by the ignition sensing portion of the circuit described.
  • Zener diode Z1 which acts as a clipper, serves to protect the transistorQZ against otherwise destructive ignition pulses.
  • a transient ignition pulse 'Zl clips the same to a safe voltage, e.g. 5.2V.
  • the ignition pulses are applied to the base of an NPN transistor, Q2, via the resistor R12.
  • resistors indicated on the drawings as RB are for applying the required forward bias current tothe respective bases of the several transistors and to protect them from noise which might result in false turn-on.
  • Emitter B02 is connected to the collector CQl of an NPN transistor Q1.
  • the emitter EQI goes to ground.
  • the output of the illumination detector ID e.g. a photo-darlington connects to base BQl. Should ambient illuminationexceed some predetermined level, Q1 turns off and, vice versa, Q1 turns on when the illumination drops below said level. Thus, if either Q1, Q2, or both are off, base current will flow through Q3 which is operated at saturation. As a result, the input 31 to the multivibrator will be held at ground level and, therefore, the multivibrator output at 32 will be a continuous high.
  • the output at 32 is applied to B04 and Q4 will be biased on. CO4 is connected to the gate of a silicon controlled rectifier SCR so that the SCR remains off.
  • the circuit to the lights (head and tail lights) L,L is completed from B+ through .the SCR, when the latter is non-conductive, the lights remain off, i.e., the ambient illumination is at, or above, the predetermined level.
  • Typical ignition firing voltages as viewed from the primary of the ignition coil are approximately 100v, as mentioned previously.
  • the Rl-RZ divider network applies a fraction of the voltage to B02, say about 0.9V. Since Q2 inverts the ignition pulses once, a re-insertion is necessary before the ignition pulse information may be applied to the multivibrator, and this result is obtained through Q3.
  • the multivibrator is triggered by the first ignition pulse, it generates an output pulse (based on parameters to be discussed hereinafter) of 37.5 milliseconds duration. If the engine is at idle speed or above, this time will be sufficient to hold Q4 off for a period of time extending beyond the succeeding ignition pulse.
  • the ignition pulses are indicated at I]? at an assumed amplitude of 100v.
  • Input to the multivibrator are pulses of sufficient amplitude and the output 32 has a prolonged pulse of zero volts amplitude. 04 turns off which causes the SCR to turn on. Thus, the lights turn on. Since the width of the multivibrator output pulse is designed to be longer than the space between consecutive ignition pulses, the multivibrator remains continuously triggered until one of the two conditions is absent, i.e., the engine is turned off or the ambient illumination reaches or exceeds the predetermined norm.
  • the invention includes provision for allowing the lights to be turned on even though the engine is not running.
  • an emergency switch SE e.g. a micro-switch or an additional pair of contacts added to the existing emergency switch, with rating of lOma, is arranged to switch on and SE conducts current in the order of Sma.
  • B05 is grounded and Q5 is off.
  • the SCR is controlled by Q4.
  • lf SE is shifted to its alternate position, the SCR is controlled directly by Q5 and the headlights will be turned on, irrespective of the multivibrator output.
  • CR1 blocks the current from CO4 and forces emitter current from O5 to flow into the gate of SCR.
  • R, 25 KO t 37.5 m secs. which is longer than any possible period between ignition pulses after or at idle. twill actually be greater than 37.5ms, due to are duration.
  • the time constant R5C2 associated with the circuit can be made extremely long. Consequently, when the last ignition pulse appears the lights will remain on for a period of time defined by the width of the output pulse of the multivibrator which may be on the order of several seconds. Furthermore, the circuit identifies the first ignition pulse, i.e., the leading edge of the monostable wave form, as well as the last iginition pulse, i.e., 1 pulse time prior to the trailing edge of the monostable wave form. It will be clear that, after the last ignition pulse, the lights will remain on for a period of time as directed by the time constant of R5C2.
  • the apparatus serves its several functions independently of the position of the ignition switch of the vehicle.
  • the headlight switch may be incorporated in the invention in two distinct ways;
  • a set of switch contacts maybe introduced between BQZ and ground. These contacts need be rated at only a few milliamperes in contrast to those presently used. When these contacts are closed, Q2 will be off and will still inhibit ignition I pulses. When these contacts are open then ignition pulses will appear across EQ2.
  • b. 01 and ID may be removed and the set of switch contacts referred to in the preceding subparagraph (a) are introduced between EQ2 and ground.
  • the functions previously performed by ID are assumed by the driver of the vehicle by controlling the headlight switch. If the mentioned set of contacts is closed, the circuit will function as though D were in the circuit and the ambient illumination had fallen below the predetermined level. If these contacts are opened, the situation would be as if lD were in the circuit and the ambient illumination were high. In brief, by inserting the set of contacts, thefunctions of ID are performed manually.
  • Apparatus for controlling the headlights of a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine including an electrical ignition system, in accordance with an ambient light condition comprising: a photoelectric device responsive to said condition, means connected to the ignition system to provide a train of pulses corresponding at least in periodicity to the firing pulses of the ignition system, circuit means responsive to the output of said device and said pulses jointly, a pulse generator to be triggered by said ignition pulses when said device provides an output corresponding to a low level of ambient illumination justifying an on condition of the headlights and vice versa, the time constant of the pulse generator being so determined as to provide for a length of pulse in excess of the period of the successive ignition pulses and circuit means connected to the output of the pulse generator to control the on and of condition of the headlights.
  • the means utilizing the detector output information and the ignition pulse information comprises a pair of transistors, one of said pair being individual to the ignition pulse circuit, and having its base connected thereto, and the other thereof being individual to the detector output circuit and having its base connected thereto, the emitter of the said one transistor being connected to the collector of said other transistor, the collector of the said one transistor being connected to the input of the pulse generator to apply a triggering signal thereto and to provide phase reversal of the signal from said one transistor prior to applying the same as a triggering pulse.
  • Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further characterized in that the headlight filaments are connected with the power source of the vehicle in a series circuit which comprises a unidirectional current flow device having a gate, the output of the pulse generator being connected. to the gate to control flow of current to the filaments in accordance with the output of the pulse generator.
  • Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further characterized by an emergency switch to by-pass the output of the pulse generator in the absence of pulses therefrom and to enable manual operation of the headlights independently of the generator output.
  • Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further characterized in that the headlight filaments are connected with the power source of the vehicle in a series circuit with a relay having actuating means, the output of the pulse generator being connected to said means to control flow of current to the filaments in accordance with the output of the generator.
  • the pulse generator is a monostable multivibrator, the said multivibrator having a pair of input transistors (Q6, Q9) arranged to constitute an or gate by which either transistor can discharge a capacitor (C2), an RC network (R5C2) which defines the pulse width corresponding to a single input pulse, a diode (CR4) connected in series with the base of a transistor (Q7), which requires a higher voltage at the point A which is one junction drop above the base voltage of transistor UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,769,519 Dated October 30, 1973 Invento Rn It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
US00296954A 1972-10-12 1972-10-12 Automatic headlight control Expired - Lifetime US3769519A (en)

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US29695472A 1972-10-12 1972-10-12

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Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3909619A (en) * 1974-05-17 1975-09-30 Ko An Inc Control for activating motor vehicle electrical load
US3963940A (en) * 1975-02-04 1976-06-15 Adamian Michael R Automatic headlight control circuit
US4015137A (en) * 1974-05-17 1977-03-29 Ko An, Inc. Control for activating motor vehicle electrical load
US4139801A (en) * 1977-01-26 1979-02-13 Linares Raul F Automatic automobile light control system
US4179876A (en) * 1976-11-22 1979-12-25 Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Digital clock for motor vehicles
US4208615A (en) * 1979-02-23 1980-06-17 General Motors Corporation Automatic headlamp control system
US4220947A (en) * 1978-08-10 1980-09-02 Yujiro Yamamoto Headlamp and security alarm control system
DE3927878C1 (en) * 1989-08-23 1991-01-10 Nicolaus Dipl.-Ing. 2358 Kaltenkirchen De Pohlmann Warning appts. for motor vehicle - has photoelectric sensor activating circuit at low light level if headlamps are off
US5136209A (en) * 1989-09-15 1992-08-04 Benedict Engineering Company, Inc. Vehicle light, windshield wiper control system
US5185558A (en) * 1989-09-15 1993-02-09 Benedict Engineering Company, Inc. Vehicle light, windshield wiper control system
US5382877A (en) * 1992-03-19 1995-01-17 Yazaki Corporation Vehicle headlamp control system
US5453662A (en) * 1994-08-10 1995-09-26 Designtech International Inc. Photocell system for automatic headlight controller with light tube
US5483107A (en) * 1991-10-25 1996-01-09 Xander; Wilmer R. Automatic defensive driving illumination system
US5736816A (en) * 1996-06-24 1998-04-07 Strenke; Leroy M. Automatic on-off vehicle headlight system
US5841203A (en) * 1995-04-24 1998-11-24 Chambers; Kevin K. Automatic headlamp activation system for motor vehicles
US6005348A (en) * 1996-03-11 1999-12-21 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Circuit keeping daytime head lamps on after engine and head lamp switch are turned off
US6175196B1 (en) * 1999-07-02 2001-01-16 Gary Dean Ragner Photo-sensitive illuminated skate wheel
US20090223784A1 (en) * 2005-10-01 2009-09-10 Deere & Company Isolating Switch System
US20120038474A1 (en) * 2010-08-12 2012-02-16 David Joseph De Sanzo Vehicle lighting control apparatus and method
US10315567B2 (en) * 2016-10-27 2019-06-11 Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation Auxiliary vehicle lighting control system

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3694690A (en) * 1969-02-20 1972-09-26 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Electric circuit for automatically igniting parking lamps at dusk

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3694690A (en) * 1969-02-20 1972-09-26 Tokai Rika Co Ltd Electric circuit for automatically igniting parking lamps at dusk

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3909619A (en) * 1974-05-17 1975-09-30 Ko An Inc Control for activating motor vehicle electrical load
US4015137A (en) * 1974-05-17 1977-03-29 Ko An, Inc. Control for activating motor vehicle electrical load
US3963940A (en) * 1975-02-04 1976-06-15 Adamian Michael R Automatic headlight control circuit
US4179876A (en) * 1976-11-22 1979-12-25 Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Digital clock for motor vehicles
US4139801A (en) * 1977-01-26 1979-02-13 Linares Raul F Automatic automobile light control system
US4220947A (en) * 1978-08-10 1980-09-02 Yujiro Yamamoto Headlamp and security alarm control system
US4208615A (en) * 1979-02-23 1980-06-17 General Motors Corporation Automatic headlamp control system
DE3927878C1 (en) * 1989-08-23 1991-01-10 Nicolaus Dipl.-Ing. 2358 Kaltenkirchen De Pohlmann Warning appts. for motor vehicle - has photoelectric sensor activating circuit at low light level if headlamps are off
US5136209A (en) * 1989-09-15 1992-08-04 Benedict Engineering Company, Inc. Vehicle light, windshield wiper control system
US5185558A (en) * 1989-09-15 1993-02-09 Benedict Engineering Company, Inc. Vehicle light, windshield wiper control system
WO1993002883A1 (en) * 1991-08-08 1993-02-18 Benedict Engineering Co., Inc. Vehicle light, windshield wiper control system
US5483107A (en) * 1991-10-25 1996-01-09 Xander; Wilmer R. Automatic defensive driving illumination system
US5382877A (en) * 1992-03-19 1995-01-17 Yazaki Corporation Vehicle headlamp control system
US5453662A (en) * 1994-08-10 1995-09-26 Designtech International Inc. Photocell system for automatic headlight controller with light tube
US5841203A (en) * 1995-04-24 1998-11-24 Chambers; Kevin K. Automatic headlamp activation system for motor vehicles
US6005348A (en) * 1996-03-11 1999-12-21 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Circuit keeping daytime head lamps on after engine and head lamp switch are turned off
US5736816A (en) * 1996-06-24 1998-04-07 Strenke; Leroy M. Automatic on-off vehicle headlight system
US6175196B1 (en) * 1999-07-02 2001-01-16 Gary Dean Ragner Photo-sensitive illuminated skate wheel
US20090223784A1 (en) * 2005-10-01 2009-09-10 Deere & Company Isolating Switch System
US7915754B2 (en) * 2005-10-01 2011-03-29 Deere & Company Isolating switch system
US20120038474A1 (en) * 2010-08-12 2012-02-16 David Joseph De Sanzo Vehicle lighting control apparatus and method
US8536997B2 (en) * 2010-08-12 2013-09-17 General Electric Company Vehicle lighting control apparatus and method
US10315567B2 (en) * 2016-10-27 2019-06-11 Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation Auxiliary vehicle lighting control system

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Publication number Publication date
CA1008916A (en) 1977-04-19
JPS4972976A (enExample) 1974-07-15

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